Ideal Standard adds to Concept Freedom range with new accessible bath for all ages

Ideal Standard has extended its successful 'accessible bathroom range', Concept Freedom, with the addition of a new accessible bath, suitable for the whole family.

Concept Freedom's new bath has been designed to make bathing anxiety free for older and less abled bathroom users while still delivering a beautifully designed aesthetic and a tranquil space in which to bathe. What's more, many of the features, such as the lower ledge, will also make bath time simpler for those bathing children and pets.

The intelligent design of the bath combines functionality with luxury.

Many features such as the ledge and the inside step have dual functionality, cleverly designed for a number of different purposes.

Whilst it is designed with less abled users in mind, varying in degrees of mobility, it looks and feels like a normal bath restoring dignity and a keeping a beautiful space to relax.

Concept Freedom's new bath has an extra wide reinforced ledge, giving users the stability to control and swing their legs over the edge and lower themselves into the bath.

The ledge also doubles as a seat for loved ones, should assistance be required when bathing and its shape means it can be used by bathers who need to pull themselves forward to reach the brassware easily.

At just 460mm high, the bath is 80mm lower than a standard option, making getting in and out of the bath a more controlled experience.

Manoeuvring around the bath can be tricky for older people, which is why this product features a handy step within the bath itself, allowing users to push themselves into a seated position when in the bath and to push themselves towards the support rail when steadily getting out.

Luxury accessories available alongside the bath include contemporary support rails and a gel headrest to keep the neck comfy.

The support rail accessories allow you to make the bath as abled, or less abled as you like, particularly as mobility declines over time with ageing.

To create the product, Ideal Standard teamed up with experts in design and care so that the needs of older people when bathing could be directly addressed.

Design Council member Colum Lowe from dementia charity Red and Yellow Care, and occupational therapist Anava Baruch from Design for Independence all inputted into the project, which was headed by Ideal Standard's designer, Robin Levien.

"We learnt from our work with industry experts that many older people worry about taking a bath," explains Robin. "Common fears include anxiety that they won't be able to get out, a fear of sliding under the water and a worry that they'll slip when manoeuvring in and around the bath.

"Functionality is at the heart of the Concept Freedom range. This versatile bath is designed to nourish independence and freedom of movement, without compromising on beautiful design.

"Each design feature of the bath has been created with addressing these anxieties in mind, meaning older people can use the bath knowing that they'll have a safe, stress free experience.

"We wanted to create a product that looked as great as it performs, which is why the bath is designed to appear as stylish as a version with no features targeted at older bathers. Its dimensions also mean that it can easily be installed in most bathrooms, making it a truly inclusive item."

Red and Yellow, which specialises in 'later in life' health, has impressive credentials in later life care. Not only does the organisation specialise in dementia and the care of older people, it is passionate about improving the quality of life as people age.

The collaboration played an active role in developing the usability of the bath for a number of different audiences - and was achieved by ensuring the Concept Freedom range provides the very best facilities and bathroom products that respect people's needs.

Developed with accessibility in mind, the Concept Freedom range of bathroom products by Ideal Standard aims to include those of limited mobility through a collection of ceramics, brassware and showers that are well-designed, elegant and functional to meet a range of access needs.

Bathrooms can be adapted to users changing needs, whilst still looking modern and stylish - ensuring that bathrooms can deal with the demands of modern households and the diversity of occupants, including the less abled and older generations.

Until recently many accessible bathrooms were designed for their functionality rather than their looks, leading consumers to believe that these bathrooms, whilst functional, lacked aesthetic design credentials.

The Concept Freedom collection allows additional support and comfort to be integrated into a bathroom layout, enabling users with various mobility needs to remain comfortable.

The range includes raised height WCs for easier, more comfortable access, available as close coupled, back-to-wall or wall-mounted. There are accessible basins with wide side rims, as well as wetroom panels with extended brackets. Easy to use shower valves and kits complete the range.

Most of the products in the Concept Freedom range conform to Part M, meaning it is easy to meet building regulation compliance which requires businesses to take responsible measures so less able people have equal access to all aspects of their premises.